Print quality guide
What DPI Should I Use for Printing Photos?
Use 300 DPI as a dependable target for close-viewed photo prints, with 240 DPI often suitable for framed wall art viewed from a normal distance. The source file’s focus and compression matter just as much.
01
DPI is tied to the finished size
DPI describes how many dots fit across each inch of the printed piece. To estimate the required pixels, multiply the finished width and height by the target DPI.
A 3000×4000-pixel file can be sharp at a smaller size but softer when enlarged. Always calculate the effective resolution for the frame size you actually want.
02
Do not confuse DPI with image quality
Changing a metadata setting from 72 to 300 DPI does not create new detail. It only changes how existing pixels are interpreted. Real detail comes from the original capture or a careful enlargement process.
Preview faces, text and high-contrast edges, then keep the file’s crop and aspect ratio in mind before you order.
See it before you order
Put the advice into a real frame.
Upload your picture, compare frame profiles and mats, and check the finished proportions before you commit.
Open the frame builderCommon questions
Is 72 DPI too low for printing?
The number alone can be misleading because pixel dimensions determine the effective resolution at a finished size. A 72 DPI label does not necessarily mean the file lacks enough pixels.
Is 240 DPI good enough for a framed photo?
Often, yes, especially when the frame is viewed from a normal room distance and the original image is sharp. 300 DPI remains a useful target.